Mark your calendars, ladies and gentlemen, because fall is coming to you live on Wednesday, September 22, 2021.‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice lattes, beautiful fall foliage, and lots and lots of change. As in every season, a good playlist is essential. Simply head to that bonfire, pumpkin patch, or day in the yard piling up colorful leaves and leave the music to me.  

Let’s wind down with 15 easy listens that’ll have you falling in love with the season all over again, pun very much intended. 

1. The Neighbourhood: “Sweater Weather”  

To me, especially in Gainesville, FL, where I go to school, fall brings a nice chill. “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood includes that autumn weather imagery, but its lazy and melancholy beat tells a much deeper story. This has to be one of my top ten favorite songs ever. Have a listen!

The Neighbourhood - Sweater Weather (Official Video) - YouTube

2. The Head and the Heart: “Rivers and Roads” 

Any New Girl stans out here? That is how I discovered this song and it quickly became one of my go-to songs to ball to. Why would I include such a depressing tune in this list? It’s simple. Listen to the lyrics; they’re all about going through a huge change. Fall to me is about change, from summer to winter to be literal, but also the change that comes within ourselves during this very reflective season. This is a great song to blast in the car with the windows down. Don't be afraid to shed a tear or two because I know I’ve shed plenty.  

Rivers and Roads - YouTube

3. Alicia Keys: "Fallin"

I’m a big fan of puns, can you be-leaf that? Because of this, I had to include Alicia Keys’ hit “Fallin’” because not only is it a phenomenal song about the reality of love and how it is definitely not linear, but its title is also very punny.  

 Alicia Keys - Fallin' (Official HD Video) - YouTube

4. Florence + The Machine: “Dog Days Are Over” 

This song, courtesy of my boyfriend, is a straight banger and it even perfectly fits the fall vibe. The period between July and early September, when the northern hemisphere experiences its hottest temperatures, is collectively known as the “dog days.” Singing about running away from said Dog Days (thus right into fall theoretically) is Florence + The Machine, who topped the US Billboard Hot 100 with this gleeful tune.  

Florence + The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (2010 Version) - YouTube

5. Green Day: “Wake Me Up When September Ends” 

September means many things for different people, particularly in terms of loss and heartbreak. For the lead singer of Green Day, Billie Joe Armstrong, it marks the anniversary of his father’s death from cancer. For many Americans, September is associated with the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 in New York City. Regardless of the circumstance, this song is incredibly powerful and reminds you to never take for granted those you love. 

Green Day - Wake Me Up When September Ends [Official Music Video] - YouTube

6. Taylor Swift: “August” 

Although the month of august technically falls within the calendar months of summer, it still feels very fall to me, just like this song by Taylor Swift. Honestly, T-Swift's newest albums (folklore and evermore) give me very much running-through-a-field-of-flowers-in-your-flannel-during-the-fall vibes. This song also details the demise of a summer fling which, like most of us know, the consequences are very much felt in the autumn. Also, the video link I included is Swift’s live performance from the 2021 Grammys simply because the set is just so beautiful and perfect for fall. The other two songs performed –“cardigan” and “willow”– also tie very well into the fall season. 

Taylor Swift - cardigan / august / willow (Live From The 63rd GRAMMYs ® / 2021) - YouTube

7. Fleetwood Mac: “Landslide” 

Fleetwood Mac released debatably their most famous album, Rumours, during a period of huge transitions for the band members. “Landslide” tackles a little bit of that change that Nicks was going through but also discusses some really meaningful yet puzzling existential questions such as in the famous line: “Oh, mirror in the sky, what is love?" As I touched a little on before, I believe fall symbolizes that period of change/transition that all humans go through at least once in their lifetime, if not more. This peaceful song just felt so right here.

Fleetwood Mac - Landslide (Official Music Video) - YouTube

8. Vampire Weekend: “Campus” 

When you think of fall, what first comes to mind? Colorful leaves, lattes, Halloween maybe, but what about Back to School Season?! I start my sophomore year of college this fall, so in honor of that milestone, here is a song all about, well...a school campus! If the chorus sounds familiar, you may have heard it on the infamous social sharing platform, TikTok. Yes, this is a “TikTok song.” Still great nonetheless.  

Vampire Weekend - Campus (Album) - YouTube

9. Coldplay: “Yellow” 

Coldplay. There’s nothing much I can say about this rock formed in London in ‘96 other than the fact that they do not fail to produce quality music year after year. “Yellow” quite literally fits this playlist perfectly because fall foliage tends to be yellow, red, and orange. This ballad is also very heartwarming, just as any good cup of pumpkin spice latte is.  

Coldplay - Yellow (Official Video) - YouTube

10. Ed Sheeran: “Autumn Leaves” 

Ed Sheeran’s debut album + (Plus) holds a special place in my heart because it is very raw and vulnerable, putting on display Sheeran’s deepest thoughts and experiences. "Autumn Leaves" is just one of his songs that discusses the unexpectedness of losing someone you love. He symbolizes death through use of a simile: “float down like autumn leaves.” Somber? Yes. A pure masterpiece? Also yes.  

Autumn Leaves - Ed Sheeran - YouTube

11. One Direction: “Night Changes” 

If you read my last blog with a dope Summer Playlist, you would know that I’m a HUGE One Direction fan, even if they’re not together right now. “Night Changes” the #7 song off of their fourth album, FOUR, is about, again, change. Ok, maybe it’s more about young love than it is about fall, but I’m falling in love with each member of One Direction while watching the video, so doesn’t that count?!

One Direction - Night Changes - YouTube

12.  Clairo: “Softly” 

The lyrics itself are about young love, but the vibe just screams pumpkin patch hunting to me. It is a melodic, easy listen that I just love. Fall to me should be filled with tunes that aren’t very upbeat to match the serene and reflective ambience of the season. This song ticks all of the boxes for me.  

Clairo - Softly - YouTube

13.  Matt Simons: “Catch & Release – Deepend Remix” 

I love this song. It is very much a vibe. The original version of “Catch & Release” is more mellow but the Deepend Remix gives it a little bit more spice, in honor of fall. This song is all about being free and letting nothing bring you down. Don’t fall for any nonsense this season and live freely; let this song give you some inspiration. 

Matt Simons - Catch & Release (Deepend remix) - Official Video - YouTube

14. The Lumineers: “Ophelia” 

This song by The Lumineers is actually a love song, but not a typical one. It is about falling in love with the spotlight and then not having a purpose for the rest of your life. Although the song doesn’t directly correlate to autumn, it is about the reflection of the human mind and not to mention its beat is very on-brand. 

The Lumineers - Ophelia - YouTube

15.  Mumford & Sons: “Little Lion Man” 

Let’s end this playlist with an oldie released in 2009. Mumford & Sons are known for their rock/indie ballads and “Little Lion Man” is a great tune for a day out on the countryside. Not to mention the banjo just really seals the deal! Enjoy! 

Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man - YouTube 

You know the drill: please like our “Fallin’ in Love with Fall Playlist” and subscribe to our Spotify channel! I love writing stuff like this for you all so please share with your family and friends to spread the joy! Check out our full playlist here: https://spotify.link/a/key_live_pfaVQo61xda7Zq1zC1ca3igayxarnljw?product=open&%24full_url=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fplaylist%2F6yUhu2Rrz1PIyKsoKAW8zy%3Fsi%3D3da5973aa0994667&%24fallback_url=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fplaylist%2F6yUhu2Rrz1PIyKsoKAW8zy%3Fsi%3D3da5973aa0994667%26nd%3D1&feature=organic

I hope this playlist made you just as happy as it made me while writing it. Brb, autumn is calling!

xoxo, Bella